The Purple Rose Theatre Company (PRTC) kicks off its 36th season with Bastard, a world-premiere play by former Detroit Local 4 news anchor Devin Scillian.
After two seasons of farcical comedies and knee-slappers, The Purple Rose is promising a season that’s still bringing the laughter – just a little more grounded. This season is all about family and everything that goes with that. Comedy with secrets, characters with a past, hilarity with heart. After all, isn’t that what family is all about?
About ‘Bastard’ by Devin Scillian
What do an aging country rocker and a buttoned-down financial whiz have in common? Not much — except their last name. The Lambert brothers have never agreed on much. And now, with the death of their mother, old wounds resurface, and a new wound threatens to tear the family apart. From award-winning journalist, author, musician, and former Detroit news anchor, Devin Scillian, comes a dramedy that’ll have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
Devin Scillian is a journalist, children’s author, musician, and playwright. For almost 30 years, he anchored the news for WDIV-TV, NBC Detroit. His reporting assignments took him from Sydney, Australia, to Havana, Cuba, from the favelas of Rio to the Ural Mountains of Siberia. His reporting from home and abroad earned him five Edward R. Murrow Awards. Devin is the author of 22 award-winning children’s books, including Memoirs of a Goldfish, A Parliament of Owls and the national bestseller A is for America. As a singer and songwriter, Devin is a three-time winner of the distinguished Detroit Music Awards as Best Country Performer. He is excited to work with Purple Rose and return to his deep background in theatre.
Directed by Rhiannon Ragland, the cast features Danny Ayotte (Whitmore Lake), Hallie Bee Bard (Farmington, MI), Mark Colson* (Westland), Joe Kathrein (Commerce Township), John Seibert* (Dexter) and Hope Shangle* (Dexter). Scenic Design by Sam Transleau, Costume Design by Erin Routh-Smith, Lighting Design by Mario Raymond, Sound Design by Eric Hohnke. Ryan Carlson* is the Stage Manager and Ethan Menzies* is the Assistant Stage Manager.
*Appearing through an agreement with Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.
The Production Sponsor is Rick Taylor, Realtor. 2026-2027 Season Underwriters include Michigan Arts and Culture Council, National Endowment for the Arts, The Shubert Foundation, and The Matilda R. Wilson Fund.
Performance Schedule
Performances are Wednesday – Sunday at The Purple Rose Theatre Company, 137 Park Street, Chelsea, Michigan 48118.
Bastard at The Purple Rose runs from Sept. 24 through Dec. 20, 2026. Previews with reduced-price tickets are available through Thursday, Oct. 1, with talkbacks on Sept. 24 – 27. The press opening is Friday, Oct. 2 at 8:00 p.m. The performance calendar can be found HERE.
This production of Bastard contains adult content and may not be suitable for children under the age of 13.
Ticket Information
Ticket prices start at $30 with special discounts for seniors, patrons 30 years or younger, members of the military, teachers, and groups (12+).
For more information or to make reservations, call (734) 433-7673 or go to www.purplerosetheatre.org.
Special Events
College Night on Oct. 24: For “College Night” on the evening of Oct. 24, students will receive pizza, a ticket to the performance, and a talkback with artists for a heavily discounted $15 ticket price. Those interested can call the Box Office at (734) 433-7673 or use the code “COLLEGE” at purplerosetheatre.org to reserve a ticket.
30s & 40s Night on Nov. 7: On the Saturday evening performance of Nov. 7, there will be a “30s & 40s Meetup Night,” a mixer with discounted tickets for anyone age 30-49 to make new friends, with a cocktail hour at Ugly Dog Distillery followed by the performance. Those interested can call the Box Office at (734) 433-7673 to reserve a ticket.
For more information about special events, email [email protected].
About The Purple Rose Theatre Company
Founded in 1991 by actor and Chelsea native Jeff Daniels, The Purple Rose Theatre Company is a professional, unionized theatre and creative home for local Michigan artists to produce original American plays. Patrons experience an intimate encounter with live theatre without breaking the bank. Broadway quality at Midwest prices.
The Purple Rose also provides talkbacks, free play readings, and ticket donations to local fundraisers. It commissions new work from established and early-career playwrights. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional theatre, the PRTC operates under a Small Professional Theatre agreement with the Actors’ Equity Association.
